Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for Self Governance at Micro Level: A Review of Indian Experiences*

By

Prof. (Dr.) B. S. Bisht

Former Vice Chancellor, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (India)

Chairman, Board of Governors, Institute of Technology, Gopeshwar (India)

President, FATER Academy of India

Contact e-mail: bsbisht@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The paper brings out constitutional provisions and status of implementation of laws for micromanagement through the rural local bodies in India in the direction of self governance. The country gained independence from British rule on 15 August, 1947 known as Independence Day. The constitution was adopted on 26 January, 1950 named as Republic Day. Village Panchayats existed even before independence. However, there structure and powers were defined more explicitly from time-to-time after independence. The village Panchayats including Van Panchayats form micromanagement units supported by the respective government provisions. By the year 2020, there were 28 States and eight Union Territories in India. The country had 742 Revenue Districts, 6,62,986 villages, 2,53,268 Village Panchayats, 7,074 Development Blocks, 6,069 Van Panchayats, 208 Gram Nyayalays (village Courts) by the year 2020. India is the 7th largest country in the world and it is second most populous. All these constitutes developmental network in rural areas. Government Departments such as the Public Works Department, Electricity Boards, Police Department, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Horticulture,   Cooperative Department, Finance (Banks and Societies), Revenue, Education, Technical Training, and others function independently but in accordance with the approved projects for development in rural areas. The beginning of Van Panchayats has been in place for more than 100 years. However, the system is more vibrant and vigilant in recent times. In recent years, the process of empowerment of individuals has taken place through major reforms including; opening of bank accounts of all individuals, transfer of funds/ grants direct to the accounts of individuals through digital mode, strong labour laws, Right to Information (RTI) and so on. The electronic media has brought in greater awareness among citizens, emergence of pressure groups and active participation in democratic processes, The paper also highlights strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the system for the benefit of the readers, researchers and policy planners.

* Paper for presentation at the International Conference on Public Management and Administration at Present Stage of State Building organized by FATER Academy of India and Kiev National University of Trade & Economics, Ukraine on 21-22 October, 2021.